WWII Australian/Commonwealth issue poncho?
Article about: Hello all, I am trying to identify this heavy rubberised poncho. It has seen some use and I can't make out any markings. I am almost certain its a WWII era British or Australian poncho, but
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The army used them for many years, I was issued one in 1975 when I joined the school cadet corps-they're heavy bastard things and were never used as wet weather gear-their main use was as ground sheets for range practice shooting-not sure if they still are used for this but at least to the mid 1980s. The rubber coating deteriorates over time especially if stored damp.
PS It's called a rain cape-the one I was issued in 1975 was brand new-vast stocks still left over from the war and other tropical actions.
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by
lithgow
The army used them for many years, I was issued one in 1975 when I joined the school cadet corps-they're heavy bastard things and were never used as wet weather gear-their main use was as ground sheets for range practice shooting-not sure if they still are used for this but at least to the mid 1980s. The rubber coating deteriorates over time especially if stored damp.
PS It's called a rain cape-the one I was issued in 1975 was brand new-vast stocks still left over from the war and other tropical actions.
Very interesting, as I have just purchased a box of Aussie made (M1956) military gear at a garage sale; it mostly dates to the early 1970's and is all named and marked W.C.C.U. Google helped me discover it is all gear that was used by the Waverley College Cadet Unit! I thought the rain cape did not fit in with the rest of the gear, thanks for the info. I will incorporate it into my Nam era displays, cheers
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I had not seen the matching hat before, nice find.
Is the tag inside still readable?
Oz
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Ubique-unfortunately the label is not readable-the hat's new but the label is made from plastic.
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